Yeah I agree that the 2002-2006 MINIs look better than the new R56. Also you are bound to experience teething first year issues with the R56 just because it is an all new car from the ground up. I would suggest spending some quality time over at www.mini2.com as some European R56 owners seem to be experiencing some quality issues with the R56.

But test drive it anyway and see if the "Hill Assist" function may be useful to your driving conditions. Personally, I do not mind the new Turbocharged engine but I agree with you that the proven Supercharged powerplant emits some serious music to our ears.

 

yeah i've been reading mini2 and all the faults, happens with every new car what can i say, but seriousley the R53's exhaust and whine is awesome some of my friends think i'm pushing 220 horsepower just cause of the wine from the supercharger and the look of the motor with the intercooler but the mini is the somewhat ultimate sleeper car

 

Houston is Driving Hell. Moved there a 1.5 years ago, moved up north .5 years ago. A manual transimission car there is a waste of a clutch. For that matter, a MINI is a waste in Houston. The status symbol quotient goes from 50% to the high 90s.

Kurt

 

Well, mine is not a sloth of any sort on the track and I found that the SD works better than the paddles or the shifter and that you can then just concentrate on driving the road ahead. It gets thru the curves well enough, but my instructor DID tell me to get rid of my runflats, for a grippier ride.

 

So brakes, throttle, and the computer controled full auto combine to feel good going into and coming out of corners? Do you think your mods make a big difference? If your MCS was stock, do you think full auto would cut it for you? Thanks.

 

I bought the MCSa new and right off the lot. That said, it did NOT have some things I would have preferred, but it DID have some other things I liked.
I drove it thru the break-in period and then did my first track session with just a rear swaybar, a Milltek cat and an ALTA CAI at Putnam Park, IN. It did ok there but wasn' real spectacular, plus I was learning the MCS' auto, which IS different from the Cooper's CVT.

When I went to Mid-Ohio the first time in August, I had added a 15% pulley and an ALTA diverter, and the performance was much better...faster, but the OEM brake pads let me down as my speed increased.

My last HPDE was also at Mid-Ohio, and this time I was better prepared and had different brake pads on the front. These stopped me fast and without fading, and my car was smoother and faster. The only thing my instructor suggested was for me to seriously consider ditching the runflats for a stickier tire. Other than that, my MCSa did well.

 

I think if you had a 6 speed those brakes wouldn't have had to work as hard as they did. I'm not knocking your choice of an auto. That's a personal choice.

 

it is definetley hell pushing in and out the clutch, and what is a 30 minute drive turns out to be an hour in a half..................

 

I disagree...the OEMs faded badly at around 115-120 on the long straight, but the Ferodos were just fine. I just went over to Hawk HPS pads, as the Ferodos just were too noisy for me. I'm pretty certain the Hawks will work just as well.

 

We can agree to disagree. If you had a stick you could use the engine braking to better effect. An auto on the track will use the brakes harder than a car with a stick will.

 

Perhaps, perhaps not. I've driven sticks a lot and know they don't stop ya all that fast and can get really messed up with clutches and gears in downshifts during speed. However, it's a moot point, as I've never driven a stick on a track. The automatic in the SD mode does slow the car better, IMO, than in the other modes...but, as you like to say, that's just my opinion.

 

[quote=welshmenwillnotyield;1371270]Perhaps, perhaps not. I've driven sticks a lot and know they don't stop ya all that fast and can get really messed up with clutches and gears in downshifts during speed. However, it's a moot point, as I've never driven a stick on a track. The automatic in the SD mode does slow the car better, IMO, than in the other modes...but, as you like to say, that's just my opinion.[/quo


yes especially in the city downshifting and not paying attention to how you do it causing you to focus on traffic and thus grinding gears, which i do like 2 times a week now thats why i'm opting for automatic now

 

If you go to a track in an MCSa and you encounter an MCS know your car will be heavier, have more drivetrain loss and will ultimately have less control over your RPMs at any given moment, which gives the standard box a much larger advantage.

I've driven over 200k in a manual in the past 4 years and done many multiple hour commutes in stop and go, personally I find it well worth it for that magical feeling of good high preformance driving alone, not to mention better mpg, less brake wear, fewer parts to go wrong, more control and IMO more fun to drive. But I'm also at the point where a six speed has been 2nd nature for a while and if I grind the gears once in three months I an quite embrassased and frustrated (and is usually a sign my oil needs changing).

But I've said it before and I'll say it again of all the automatics I've driven the MCSa is the best I've driven yet (even though I'll NEVER own one) despite its short comings (a shift on it takes what seems like an enternity compared to my own shifting in the manual; amongst other pet peeves)

 

Stay with the stick. I drive a stick in Houston traffic everyday and it does not bother me. When you get to Houston, join HMMS. There are a lot of good people in it.

 

It is apparent to me that you really want the auto and are looking to us for validation of your decision. A true manual xmission person isn't bothered by annoyances like traffic and such.

If your feet get all crossed up and you don't think you can handle all that hand/foot/brain coordination on the track, then you need some practice or just go with the auto....... that's what you really want.... isn't it?

Are you afraid that your 'macho' buddies will make fun of you? Stand up and buy (or have Daddy buy) what you want.

If I owned an 04 anything at your age... I'd be so happy I couldn't stand it. My first car was 15 years old when I got it and I was thrilled.

Keep the 04 and be very, very grateful you aren't riding the bus.

I'm sorry to be so blunt but this thread is getting to be ridiculous. I'm just talking to you like I would to my son.

YD

 

I respect your opinion. They're like elbows, everyone has one. Maybe if we wind up on the same track this year we could switch cars & educate ourselves.

I have an automagic transmissioned Subaru Forester XT in my stable. It's great in traffic & serves a purpose, but my feeling is it lacks the control of a stick. I run TSD rallies in it & I know I use the brakes much more than I would if it was a stick.

Your mileage may vary.